Swapping out neck pickup? [Archive] - Telecaster Guitar Forum

Rena Rune

January 30th, 2009, 06:09 PM

I saw a few threads on HC where people were looking to swap out the neck pickup of the XV820, and I've really been feeling I should do the same - it's too low output compared to the bridge, it's a little dull and dead sounding. I can see how it'd work for 50s style country but that's very much not my scene.

I was thinking of getting a new GFS pickup, but I'm not sure what I should get.

I was thinking most likely I should get a neck humbucker. To me te "vintage" Tele sound is all in the bridge anyway, so having a neck bucker might make the guitar a lot more versatile - I love the sound of humbucked cleans, and the mid position should give me nice sparkly cleans too.

At the same time I like the quirk of single coils. The GFS single coil sized buckers claim to still have vintage charm, but I'm unsure. Having a neck humbucker is weird since for heavier rock music, the bridge is used as the neck is fuzzy. However it might suit my playing style better since I like fuzz. The mid position could be used for more staight up rockin' tones? I really like how the bridge pickup sounds with higher gain though as is, so it's not a bother.

I like my Strat copy's neck pickup, it's much higher gain and sounds great with dirt. Something a bit more strat like could work out, but not identical of course. Maybe I should just give up on this and get a bucker though and hope it's quirky enough? A neck humbucker would be useful for playing stuff like QOTSA and Kyuss(though the intonation on my guitar goes to **** when detuning, need to fiddle around with it a bit more, maybe replace the saddles).

http://store.guitarfetish.com/lilpuxlnepif.html

This looks like the best choice right now, though I can't find any soundclips.

Sollophonic

January 30th, 2009, 06:33 PM

Before you swap out your neck pickup, have you thought about two other cheaper options

1) Keep your neck pickup and get a 4 way switch. Wire it so you have the option of having both pickups in series. Thicker, fuller tone.

2) Ditch your neck pickup, keep the 3 way switch, and "go esquire". lots of fun and tone to be had from one pickup and one switch

Others may agree or disagree


	Telecaster Guitar Forum > Other Discussion Forums > Just Pickups > Swapping out neck pickup? PDA Swapping out neck pickup? Rena Rune January 30th, 2009, 06:09 PM I saw a few threads on HC where people were looking to swap out the neck pickup of the XV820, and I've really been feeling I should do the same - it's too low output compared to the bridge, it's a little dull and dead sounding. I can see how it'd work for 50s style country but that's very much not my scene. I was thinking of getting a new GFS pickup, but I'm not sure what I should get. I was thinking most likely I should get a neck humbucker. To me te "vintage" Tele sound is all in the bridge anyway, so having a neck bucker might make the guitar a lot more versatile - I love the sound of humbucked cleans, and the mid position should give me nice sparkly cleans too. At the same time I like the quirk of single coils. The GFS single coil sized buckers claim to still have vintage charm, but I'm unsure. Having a neck humbucker is weird since for heavier rock music, the bridge is used as the neck is fuzzy. However it might suit my playing style better since I like fuzz. The mid position could be used for more staight up rockin' tones? I really like how the bridge pickup sounds with higher gain though as is, so it's not a bother. I like my Strat copy's neck pickup, it's much higher gain and sounds great with dirt. Something a bit more strat like could work out, but not identical of course. Maybe I should just give up on this and get a bucker though and hope it's quirky enough? A neck humbucker would be useful for playing stuff like QOTSA and Kyuss(though the intonation on my guitar goes to **** when detuning, need to fiddle around with it a bit more, maybe replace the saddles). http://store.guitarfetish.com/lilpuxlnepif.html This looks like the best choice right now, though I can't find any soundclips. Sollophonic January 30th, 2009, 06:33 PM Before you swap out your neck pickup, have you thought about two other cheaper options 1) Keep your neck pickup and get a 4 way switch. Wire it so you have the option of having both pickups in series. Thicker, fuller tone. 2) Ditch your neck pickup, keep the 3 way switch, and "go esquire". lots of fun and tone to be had from one pickup and one switch Others may agree or disagree Rena Rune January 30th, 2009, 06:34 PM I wouldn't be able to get decent fuzz tones from the bridge alone.